901 Now: Keeping jazz alive— local youth participate in jazz workshoop
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Keeping the legacy of jazz alive through the next generation of jazz enthusiasts!
Stephen Lee is the founder of the Memphis Jazz Workshop. He launched the program in 2017 to provide music education for middle and high school students.
Students work with highly trained musicians to perfect their craft.
He said working with students like Kurtis Gray, has been so promising for the future of Jazz.
“I Never really got deep into Jazz or never really looked into it,” Gray said. “But I tried it out once and it was good.”
Kurtis Gray has been a part of the Memphis Jazz Workshop for several years.
“They’ve really [nurtured me] musically, in a level I can’t explain,” he said.
Gray’s passion for drumming started at age two, but he says his experience with the Memphis Jazz Workshop has only elevated his skillset.
“Everything that you want, in a musician, he’s doing that now at 17,” Lee said.
The workshop focuses on discipline, work ethic, music education, and ultimately mastery.
“The joy of seeing them teach themselves is great,” Lee said. “It’s just great to see the kids talking about music. You don’t see that a lot in 2024. A lot of kids are listening to Hip Hop which is cool but doesn’t forget about the roots of Black American Music also this is a true American art form. "
Although Gray will graduate from the program this spring, he said he’s ready to take his talents out to the world.
“If I record music or write music, I want to bring back that feeling of Memphis Music, the Blues, Rock, bringing some R&B, Gospel, and Jazz. Just tie it into the Memphis feel and soul that Memphis brings out. I want to give that out to the world.”
The Memphis Jazz Workshop meets year-round. 12 Saturdays in the winter and spring, 4 weeks in the summer, and 12 weeks in the Fall.
If you would like to learn more about the workshop, visit Memphis Jazz Workshop - Memphis Jazz Workshop
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